Oral care is an important aspect of your personal hygiene and plays a vital role in your overall health. Unfortunately many patients, owing to lack of knowledge, neither get the most out of their family dentist nor experience the best professional dental care that they deserve.

To make sure that you and your loved ones receive appropriate and quality dental care throughout your lives, you need to be informed; you need to know what may affect your teeth and gums, how to care for them yourself and know the various dental treatments and services available.

Here are some questions to ask your family dentist in order to stay on top of your dental health:

How often should I come for my dental check-up?

How frequent you visit your family dentist may depend on the state of your oral health and your risk of future issues. With a personal consultation, your family dentist will be able to give you a schedule that is more suited to you. If your oral health is good, then the dentist may schedule your next appointment in as long as a year. If, on the other hand, you are a higher risk patient, it may need to be in as soon as three months from your last check-up. Our general advice is that you see your dentist every six months, which will help you stay ahead of your oral hygiene and combat any impending conditions before they escalate into problems.

At what age should my child first see a dentist?

Early visits to the family dentist promote good oral care and can result in a lifetime of good dental health. It can also acclimatise your child to going to the dentist, making them less nervous in future. With the right dentist and a dedicated clinic, you should be able to enjoy fuss-free dentist check-ups with your child/ren. Discuss how soon you should bring in your child for their first consultation. The dentist may recommend that it be before their first birthday, or about six months following the eruption of their first tooth.

How do I prevent tooth decay?

There are general guidelines that can help you protect your teeth and gums from dental issues like decay, but other factors may call for slight variations or additions to your specific oral care regimen. For instance, your family dentist may recommend cutting down on cigarettes if you are a smoker, or ask you to use supplemental fluoride.

Otherwise, the following tips should keep your teeth and gums in a healthy condition:

Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Floss your teeth or use interdental cleaner every day, even between your meals if you can.

Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure you eat balanced and nutrition-filled meals, avoiding frequent snacking and sipping of fluids other than water.

Schedule 6-month check-ups with your family dentist and hygiene appointments, or as directed.

How can I have whiter teeth?

Many patients find themselves unsatisfied with the colour of their teeth at some point. When this happens, it is comforting to know that their dentist is able to provide a solution. Speak to your family dentist about their cosmetic treatments and how they can help you achieve whiter and brighter teeth. The dentist’s solution may be as simple as professional teeth whitening, or more complex porcelain veneers.

Do you have any recommendations for my diet?

Good oral care doesn’t only involve regular cleaning of teeth and gums—it goes hand in hand with a healthy diet. Just as the rest of your body needs the nutrition of foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins, so do your teeth. For instance, food that is high in calcium such as dairy products, leafy greens and almonds strengthen your teeth and help you fight infections. On the other hand, food that has a high sugar content feed the bacteria inside the mouth, promoting accumulation of plaque and tartar.

It is important to stick to a balanced diet, avoid constant snacking, and have tooth-friendly foods such as fruits and vegetables, which increase the flow of saliva. Drinking tap water is also beneficial. You may need to consult your dentist and nutritionist about suitable alternatives if you have special diet needs or preferences.

Could I benefit from orthodontic treatment?

It often happens that one or more members of a family have a crossbite, overbite, overjet, crowding of teeth, missing teeth or other similar issues. In this case, it is critical that you discuss your options with your family dentist. Orthodontic treatments go well beyond improving self-esteem through beautiful teeth. They also help solve issues such as breathing and swallowing problems and difficulty cleaning teeth, which may lead to tooth decay, gum disease and loss of teeth.

Still not sure? Read what our patients have to say about their treatments and experiences with us.

Could I benefit from dental implant treatment?

While you may have heard of dental implants, you might not be aware of their application and benefits. If you or your loved one are missing any teeth, this can result in chewing difficulties and perpetuate other problems. It is therefore important that your family dentist is able to treat them specifically.

Receiving treatment for your missing teeth will restore you in various ways including helping you speak more fluently, eat without pain or discomfort, complete your beautiful smile and give you an overall boost in self-confidence.

What should I do now to ensure a healthy smile for life?

Knowing your dental health needs and understanding healthy oral care habits and available treatments is the first step to a lifetime of strong, flawless and disease-free teeth and gums. Once you are aware of any issues you may have, you can make a decision to get the very best dental health solutions you can find.

At Elmsleigh House, we’ve helped thousands of patients to feel good and confident about their smiles. Ourexperienced team is here to help and answer all your questions.

With your own copy of “The ultimate guide to a natural healthy smile” ebook, you can be proactive with your oral health. Download your copy now and take your first step to a beautiful and flawless smile.